Bag feeding and packaging machine



March 14, 1944. n. BELcHER ETAL BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 s s H Y mem., M T E JE l s NHNw o C U T TMW T. NE K A /QM H50 @V ma. l m5 M DE# w 4 r H m u .m M im, 2 m m k 8 m n .11! L Nulla... M. En HIJA C" Mm TRL/numnHl/MWMMQ 4 Sal/a 8 s.

Mgrch 14, 1944. D, BELHER ETAL 2,343,879

' BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1940 l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 /NvENTo/es DAN/EL BEL CHER EVER/.s DMUMSON HARO/.D M K/NDsETH March 14, 1944.

D. BELCHER ET AL BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGIING MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 7, 1940 E/NvE'N-rozs' DAN/E1. ELcHE/e HAROLD f/NDsET/j Arroz/veuf;

March 1.4, 1944.

D. 'BELCHER ErAL BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1940 11 shetssheet 4 D; BELCHER ETAL 2,343,879

BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE March 14, 1944.

Filed June 7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet o Nw E CUN m .mM/M n D. T wwmv MNE@ mi m /w March 14, 1944. D, BELCHR ET AL 2,343,879

BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHIE ArrozNe-Yq March 14, 1944.

D. BELCHER ET AL BAG FEEDING AND -PACKAGING' MACHINE l1 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June '7, 1940 www NHUN V LMK /NE .u B00 Lm/.GV ,ffm .A N m A d if ATTQRNEY.;

-March 14, 1944. D, BELCHER E-r-AL l 2,343,879

BAG -FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE Filed June 7. 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 /NVE'NTQAea` DAN/EL BEL CHER EVER/s D. MUA/60N HAROLD V. mNosE TH 'Jmm A-r-raK/vsYs March 1.4, 1944. D, BELCHER ETAL "2,343,829

BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE 11 sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June '7, 1940 /Nvewrozs DAN/EL ELcHEz EVER/.s aMuNso/v HA/eow t. hlNosETf-l AT1-a zNEv/.s

March 14, 1944. n. BELCHER ETAL BAG FEEDING AND PACKAGING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 ,s A s mm Y W man M :HND a VCWW r /Nn .K .m BDMV ,5w M @mmf g March 14, 1944. D. aELcHER ETAL 2,343,879v` BAG'l FEED'ING AND PACKAGING MACHiNE Filedl June 7, 1940 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 VVENTOES DAN/EL Dac/fee EVER/s D. MuNsnN HAROLD M hlNosEv-H x11-faible YJ Patented Mar. 14, 1944 ,2,343,379 ,l l AND PACKAGINGMACHINE f and FEEDING -inni-lair:'Us-laitsA PATEN Daniel Belcher. Everis D., Munson, vand Harold fv," l

l Kindseth, vMinneapolis,

I neapolis, Minn., a corvporation of Missouri i Bemis Bro. Bag. Co.,

Minn., assigner-s' to 'v l Application June 7, im. seria1No.339,314 s claims. (ci. zza-61) This invention relates to'ne'vv and useful im-f1 provements in bag feeding and packaging machines and particularly to machines for 'packaging such commodities as sugar and other pulverized or ground materials.-

In recent years, it has become quite common to package sugar in' small, paper b'ags. In machines now used for this purpose,` thebags are usually manually fed to the machine Vand the' from, obviously limits the capacity of the machine and therefore adds to the cost of the packaged commodity... It is therefore highly desirable that means be provided whereby the packaging of such material may be accomplished more expeditiously and economically.

An object of the present invention, therefore,

is to provide a machine for packaging sugar andother commodities, which is substantially automatic -in operation, the only manual operation required being to place asupply or stack of empty bags inthe magazine of the machine.

A further object is.to provide a machine comprising av magazine in which the empty bags are placed in superposed relation and means being provided for automatically feeding the bags from the magazine, one at a time, to a filling spout over whichv the mouth of the empty bag lis fitted and secured, delivering a predetermined charge of material into the bag, and subsequently removing the filled bag from the :filling spoutyand depositing it onto a. suitable conveyer. s

A further objectl is to provide. a bag feeding and packaging machinecomprlsing amagazine for supporting theempty flat. bags, and a feeding mechanism being arranged beneath the inagazine having means 4for successively withdrawing the empty bagsvfrom the bottom of the magazine, `and conveying each bag to a filling spout, means being provided between the* magazine and the lling spout for breaking the bottom ofeach bagA and subsequently opening the bag mouth, whereby the mouth of thebag may readilybeslipped over the lling spout, after` which of material to be delivered into the empty bag `thereto, and simultaneously the mecha"- ,nism is actuated to cause a 'predetermined'charge secured to the lling spout.

Afurther object is to provide a magazine for ,I

supporting a stack of flat empty bags in superposed relation, having means for engaging the top ends of the lowermost bagssupported in the magazine land inwardly pressing said bag ends, whereby the bag bodies are bent downwardly and thereby cause the mouth of the lowermost bag in the magazine to be partially opened to facilitate the entrance therein of a suitable gripper blade which operates'to withdraw the lowermost bag downwardly, out of the bottom ofthe magazine, and move said withdrawn vvbag into position. `to receive a charge.

Other' objects of the invention reside in the novel construction of the lower portion of the magazine, whereby the lowermostl bag therein,

may readily be removed therefrom; in the means provided for engaging the bag vbottom and folding it downwardly with respect to the bag body whereby'the bag body may more readily be expanded to its proper shape, when theempty bag is supported on the filling spout and a charge is delivered thereinto; in the means provided for opening the bag mouth to receive the Afilling spout; in the novel constructionv I-of-the .lling spout, whereby it is normally contracted or.4 sub'- stantially closed to facilitate 4insertion into the bag mouth', after which it is expanded and simul-` taneously swings into position to receive a charge from a weighing hopper, whereby a. predetermined chargeis delivered into the vempty bag:

in thel provision of the flexible, porous tube. which "extends downwardly through theiilling spout from the hopper oi' theyweighing mechanism and conducts the material into the bag whereby "puiilng of the material from i',he-bag ymouth is prevented; inthe means provided forfremov.-

ing the filled bags from the machine;. in the means adapted to be'. actuated by each-bag for controlling the operation of the material-dumping mechanism, whereby should ythe bag feeding mechanism fail to deliver an empty bag to the `nlling spout; during the operation of :the ma- 'the Vmachine is.4

chine, the dumping mechanism will not deliver --a charge intothe filling spout; and, in the simple "construction of the various parts,l v of the machine and the arrangement thereof, whereby floor space. v f Other objects ofthe invention will appear from the filling spoutis expanded tosecuregthebag "the following descriptiony and accompanying very compact and requires. little from the magazine and drawings and win be pointed out in the annexed.

designed to carry out the Figure 26 'is a detail sectional view substantially on the line 26-26 of Figure 19.

Supporting frame The main frame of the novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown comprising two side frame members, generally designated by the numeral 2. Each side frame member comprises a lower sec- .tion 3, an intennediate section 4, and an upper Figure 1 i'sl an end view ora packaging ma v chine with the,

Figure 2 is a in Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view substantially on the" line 3 3 of Figure 12, with some of the parts omitted, showing the means for opening the bag mouth to permit the gripper blade to enter the bag:

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the bag mouth opener in its normal position;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the bag mouth opened to receive the gripper blade;

,Figuren is a fragmentary sectional view subiitially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

figure 'i is a detail sectional view on the line invention 'embodied therein; back view of the machine shown Figure 8 is a sectional planV view on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line --,-9 of Figure '7;

iilgurf` 101s an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 10-10 'of Figure 2, showing the gripper blade about towithdraw a bag from the magazine? Figure 11 is a view showing a bag withdrawn control for the sugar dumping mechanism;

Figure 12 is a front view oi! Figure 11;

Figures 13, 14, and 15 are fragmentary'views showing different steps in the operation of breakins the bag bottom whereby the bag body is more readily expanded during the filling operation;

Figure 16 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the `line lB-IS of Figure 22, showing the mechanism for opening the illling spout; l

Figure 1'1 is a detail sectional view showing a portion of the means for operating the bag mouth opener;

Figure 18 is a detail sectional view on 'the line l8-I8 of Figure 17;

the bag mouth to receive Figure 19 is a detail sectional view showing the filling spout about to enter the. open bag mouth;

Figure 20 is a d tail sectional view on the line 20-20 of Figure 26, showing the lower end of the nlllng spout positioned as shown in Figure 19,'and also showing the bag wall gripping :law on t the illling spout in openor inoperating position;

Figure 21 is a view similar to Figure 20, showing the wall of the open bag top secured to the ing 51301117;

Figure 22 is a detail sectional view of Figure 16 with some of the parts omitted;

Figure 23 is a detail sectional view showing the operating shaft andv the parts mounted there- Figure 24 is a rear view of a portion of the machine showing the control member for the dumping mf =`1anism$ Figure-2 a detail sectional view on the line 25-26 of Figure 24: and

- suitable cross members mediate sections l "are also showing the clutch frame member il,

nisms without departing from lized, the frame member Il is section 6, suitably secured together. as best shown are shown secured together in spaced relation by 6, 1, 8, and 9. The intershown provided with 0P- positely projecting portions or arms Il having their terminalstled together by suitable cross rodsiz and 20, the ends of which are suitably secured to the terminals oi the arms Ii. The upper ends of the upper sections 5 are tied together by a suitable cross member I3 which, as here shown,-may be in the form of an inverted channel iron.

To increase the capacity of the machine, we l have'here shown it provided with two complete bag feeding and filling mechanisms, and the side frame members 2-2 are therefore shown spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate two such complete mechanisms. Obviously. the machine may be provided with any number of such mechathe scope oi' the invention. When two or more such mechanisms are utilized, a trame member Il is interposed between adiacent mechanisms. This frame member Il is mounted upon an upstanding portion I5 provided on the cross member 1 at the rear nf the machine, and upon the cross member I the machine. The frame memfor supporting the adjaat the front of .ber Il providest means cent side walls of described. Suitable bearings shown provided at opposite sides of the frame for supporting the intermediate portions of the two cross rods I2, best shown in Figure 12. l

If only a single operating mechanism is utidispensed with and the two side frame members 2 are spaced apart to accommodate the single operating mechanism.

Empty bag supporting means 'I'he means for supporting the empty bags is best shown in Figures 3 to 12, inclusive. As here shown, it comp la magazine, generally designated by the numeral I1, having spaced side walls i8. As the two operating m are identical in construction, but one will be described in detail. Each side wall Il of the magazine has securedthereto a pair of shaft-like studs Il, in suitable bearings ing the rods or The bearings 2| are secured respectl upper frame members I and the intermediate as best shown in Figure 12. walls Il are preferably shaped as shown in Figure 10, and are provided adjacent their lower front portions with inwardly extending nanges 23, having inwardly curved portions 24 adapted toy be engaged by the outer portions of the top ends of the empty rted in the magazin as bestshown in Figure 8. The side walls of the magazine are spaced apart in accordance with the width oi the flat bag bodies, as shown in Figure 8, whereby the empty bags may be stacked in the magazine in superposed relation with the outer end portions of the bag The magazine side the two magazines. subsequent- Il areV tops engaging the flanges 24 of the side walls of the magazine, as clearly illustrated in the drawings. L

The rear portions of the bags are shown supported on inwardly extending shelf members 25 having rear walls 26, as best shown in Figures 3, 8, 9, and 10. The rear bag supporting members or shelves 25 are preferably provided with rearward extensions 21, which are adjustably Secured to the side walls of the magazine by suitable bolts 28 received in-slots 29 provided in the magazine side walls. The bag supporting members 25 are adjustably supported on the walls of thel magazine, whereby the apparatus may be adapted for bags of different lengths. The adjusting screws 22 also provide means whereby the width of the magazine may be varied to suit bags of different widths. It will thus be noted that the magazine is vso constructed that it may readily be adjusted for handling bags of different sizes.

'I'he inwardly curved flanges at the front, i

lower portions of the side walls of the magazine extend downwardly to the lowermost portions of said walls, as best shown in Figure 9, whereby all of the empty bags in the magazine from the bottom to the top of the stack, will be retained in the magazine by the flanges 24 and the supporting shelves 25.\ To facilitate opening the mouth of the lowermost bag. wedge-shaped elements 3| are provided directly rearwardly of the lowermost portions of the flanges 23, adapted to be engaged by the side edges of the lowermost bag in the magazine, as clearly illustrated in Figures 7, '8, and 9. The elements 3| support the empty bags in the magazine as shown in Figure 9, wherein it will be noted that the bag bodies are slightly bent, which facilitates bending I the bag bodies to the positions shown in Figure 5, when the plate element 33 is actuated to inwardly press the bag tops to partially open the mouth ofthe lowermost bag, as shown in Figure 5.

The machine herein disclosed is particularly adapted for handling bags having Satchel bottoms, and in which the bottoms of the empty bags are folded into parallel relation with the bag bodies to facilitate stacking the empty bags. The upper edge of one of the walls of the bag bodyis also shown provided with a thumb cut, indicated at 32, in 'Figures 4, 6, and,7, whichis customary in the manufacture of bags of this particular type. The thumb cut 32 is shown provided in the bag wall opposite from the wall against whichthe bag bottom is folded, whereby when the empty bags are stacked in the magazine with the'bottoms facing upwardly, as shown in Figures 3, 9, and 10, the thumb cut willbe in the bottom wall of each bag as it is supported in the magazine. v

Means for partially opening bag mouth lowermost bag and withdraw said bag from the magazine.

To thus partially open the mouth o f the lowermost bag, a plate element 33 is shown secured to a shaft 34 adjacent the lower front 'portion of the magazine. The plate 33 is shown provided with a restricted central portion or tab 35 which is inwardly curved, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, and is of such size that'it may readily pass through the thumb cut in the bottom wall of the lowermost bag. The shaft 34 is shown mounted for rocking movement in suitable bearings 36 and 31 and has an arm 38 secured thereto, to which one end of va suitable connecting rod 39 is connected, as shown in Figures 3, 4, 10 and 12. When the shaft 34 is rocked from the position shown in Figure 4, to that shown in Figure 5, it will be noted that the plate element 33 will engage the top ends of the lowermost bags in the magazine andpush them inwardly and upwardly, whereby the bag bodies will bend, as indicated at 4l -in Figure 5, thereby causing the mouth of the lowermost bag to partially open. This results because the plate element 33 does not engage the bottom wall of the lowermost bag but only the top wall thereof, as will be readily understood by reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5.

The plate element 33 is actuated by a cam 42 secured to a tubular member or sleeve 43 mounted on a main operatingshaft 44 and non-rotatably secured thereto by a suitable clamping collar 45, best shown in Figures 16 and 23. The cam 42 is adapted to engage a roller 46 mounted on a short arm 41 having one end pivoted to the intermediate frame member I4, as indicated at 48 in Figures 3 and l0. The opposite end of the arm 41Ais pivotally connected to the lower end of the connecting rod 39. A suitable spring 49 constantly urges the connecting rod 39 in a direction to hold the roller 46 in peripheral contact with the cam 42, as shown in Figure 12.

Means is provided for preventing the top ends of the lowermost bags in the magazine from sliding upwardly on the inclined sur/face of the plate means is shown comprising a plurality of projections 5| provided on the inner surface of the plate element 33, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. These' projections may be integrally formed with the plate element 33 or they may be in the form of rivet heads. They merely function toprevent the top ends of the bags from sliding upwardly on the plate, when said plate is actuated.

Bag feeding means The means for successively feeding the empty bags4 from the magazine is best shown in lFigures 3, 1011, and 16, and comprises the gripper plate 30 which is secured to one end of a tubular connecting rod 52, slidably mounted in a suitable bearing 53 pivotally supported between the end walls 54-55 of a rotary member 56, which, to simplify explanation, will hereinafter be referred to as a drum. This drum comprises the end walls 54-55 and a segmental plate 51 suitably secured thereto, whereby 54--55 become, in effect, an integral unit. The end walls 54-55 are provided with suitable hubs 58 which are non-rotatably mounted on the sleeve 43, as best shown in Figure 23.

The lower end of the connecting rod 52,` when viewed as shown in Figure 10, is pivotally connected to one /end of a forked lever 59 by means said plate and the end walls 4 q v 2,343,879 of a split coupling element 6| which, as shown in 16, and comprises a push rod 19 mounted for Figure 16, is secured to the lower end of the con-V sliding movement in the tubular connecting rod 'necting rod 52 by a clamping screw 62, shown in Figures 16 and 18. The arm 59 is secured to a short shaft 63 mounted for rocking movement in suitable bearings 64 provided in the end walls 54-55 of the drum 56. A suitable crank arm 65 is secured to one end of the shaft 63 and carries a roller 66 which peripherally4 engages a cam, generallydesignated by the numeral v61. The cam 61 is mounted on the sleeve 43 of the main operating shaft, and lis fixed against relative rotation thereon by a suitable bracket 68, to one side of which the cam 61 is secured by suitable bolts 69, as shown in Figure 22. The opposite Aside of the bracket 68 is secured to the intermedi- Vate frame section 4 of one of the main side frame members 2 of the supporting frame, by suitable bolts 1|.

FromA the foregoing, it will be noted that the tubular connecting rod 52 is carried by the drum 56 and rotates therewith as a unit. For each revolution of the drum 56, the connecting rod will be oscillated about 4the axis of the pivotal support of the bearing 53 as a result of the roller 66 of the crank arm 65 engaging the periphery of the cam 81. The contour of the cam 81 is such that as the gripper plate -approaches the partially open mouth of the lowermost bag, said plate is moved outwardly from the dotted line position shown at A in Figure 3, to the full line position shown in the same figure. Such action of the gripper plate 30 results when the roller 68 moves from the low point 1| of the cam to the relatively higher point 12 thereof, shown in Figue 3. When the roller 66 travels from point 12 on the cam to the high point 13, as shown in Figure 10, the gripperplate is moved into the partially open mouth of the lowermost bag and thence downwardly to the position shown in Figure 10, whereby the bottom .wall of the lowermost bag will be clamped between the gripper plate 30 and a gripper pad 14, preferably of rubber. The gripper pad is secured to the end walls 54 and 55 of the drum-as shown in Figure 22. As the roller travels from point 13 on the periphery of the. cam to a point 15, no relative movement is imparted to the gripper blade 30, because said portions of the` cams face is concentric. The bottom wall of the empty bag will to the position shown in Figure 16. When the empty bag reaches theposition shown in Figure1 6,.the`partially open mouth thereof is opened to a greater extent in order tov receive the'lower end of the filling spout, generally indicated by the numeral 16. 1

The means provided for opening each bag mouth, as the empty bags approach the position fore stacked in the magazine therefore be firmly clamped to .the drum 56, Iwhereby it may be withdrawn from the magazine shown in Figure 16, comprises a plate-like. elcment 11 having a T-shaped head 18 which is adapted to pass through the 4thumb cut lprovided in the bottom wall of thelowermost bag, when the gripper plate. 30 and opener plate, 11 move from the dotted line position shown lat A iruFigperiphery of the une 3, to the 'full' line position in the same figure.

The opener blade is normally seated in a recess 18 provided in the body of the gripper plate 30,

whereby when the opener blade 11 isl in its nor.-

mal positionas shown in Figures 3 and 5, the

upper surfacethereof'lwill be-substantially iiush with the upper surfaces of the gripper plate-30.

' The means provided for operating the bag .mouth opening blade 11 is best shown in Figure AtheI spacing collars 96 and ably secured to the 52 and having its upper end operatively connected to the blade 11 by a suitable link 8|. The opposite end of the push rod 19 has a head 82 adapted to engage a button 83 adjustably 4supported in the arm V84 of a bell crank, generally indicated by the numeral 85. The button 83 is adjustably supported in the arm 84 by suitable screw threads 86, whereby it may be relatively adjusted with respect to the button 82 of the push rod 19. A nut secures the button 83 in adjusted position.

The bell crank 85 is moun-ted on a stud 81 secured to the end wall 55 of the dum, as shown in Figure 22. A roller 88 is mounted in the other arm 89 of the bell crank 85 and is adapted to engage a cam 9| secured to the adjacent face of the cam 61, as best shown in Figures 22 and 23. The lengthof the cam face 9| is such that the opener blade 11 is actuated to open the bag mouth as the empty bag approaches the filling spout 16. In Figure 16, the roller 88 of the bell crank 85 is shown about to move out of engagement with the cam face 9|, whereby the bag mouth openeriblade 11 will assume its normal position, shown in Figure 19, to permit the filling spout 16 to enter the open bag mouth.

Means for breaking bag bottom The machine herein disclosed is particularly designed for handling iiat paper bags having satchel bottoms, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. These bottoms are normally disposed in atwise relation to the bag bodies to facilitate stacking the empty bags in superposed relation and to economize in storage space. The bags are therewith their bottoms disposed in parallel relation to the median plane of the bag-bodies, and means is therefore provided for "breaking or folding the at bottom of each bag longitudinally upon itself, in order that the bottom of the bag will fill out whena charge of material is delivered into the bag.

The means provided for thus folding or breaking the bag bottoms, is best shown in Figures 11 to 15, inclusive, and 19. and comprises a'pair of spaced hook elements 92 secured to the lower end of an arm 93 having a hub 94 rotatably supported on the cross rodl |2 at the front of the machinaas best shown in Figures 3, 1l, and 12.'

Thehub 94 of the arm 93 is mountedvbetween two spacing collars 96 suitably fixed to the rod I2. A bridge member 91 is provided between has one end of a spring secured thereto, the opposite end of which is connected to an arm 98 provided on the hub 94 of the arm 93. The spring 90 con- 93 inwardly toadjusting screw |0| provides means for relativelyadjusting the terminals of the spaced hooks 92 with respect to the plate 51 of the drum 58.

A pair of arms have their upper ends suit'- cross rod |2 and support at their lower ends, ,a roller |02, rotatably mounted on a shaft. |03. The ends of the shaft |03 are resiliently supported in suitable guide slots |04 provided inthe lower ends of the arms 95, as best 70 shown in Figures 3 and 11. Suitable springs |05 are disposed in ure 11.

The above described mechanism operates in the slots |04 and constantly urge the following manner; when the lowermost bag in the magazine is pulled downwardly against the clamping block, as shown in Figure 10, the curved plate 51 of the cylinder 56 will engage the body of the bag, -as shown in Figure 11, in which position the bag bottom is retained in its normal at position until the leading edge thereof engages the hook elements 92, as shown in Figure 14. When the leading edge of the bag bottom thus engages the hooks 92, the bottom is folded longitudinally -upon itself to the position shown in Figure 15. The folded bottom is next engaged by; `the roller |02 which exerts a pressure thereon whereby it will retain its folded position, as shown in Figure 19, until the empty bag is positioned on the filling spout 16, as will subsequently be described. A pair of spring ngers |06 are secured to the spacing collars 96 and have their free ends adapted to engage the bag to hold it in contact with the periphery of the drum, as shown in Figures 11 and 13. The ngers |06 also serve to secure the collars 96 to the cross rod l2, as shown in Figure 15. i

A suitable device, generally indicated by the numeral |01, is mounted beneath the drum 56 and is adapted to engage the folded bottom of the bag and hold the bag body against the periphery of the drum, as shown in Figure 19, when the bag moves into position to receive the filling spout.

The device |01 is preferably shown comprising a pair of brush elements |08 mountedin a cylindrical base member |09 secured in a holder which is preferably adjustably mounted in a slotted arm H2. The arm H2, in turn, is adjustably secured to a bracket H3. The slotted arm H2 provides'means whereby the brush elements |08 of the. device |01 may be suitably positioned with respect to the periphery of the drum 56.

Bag filling mechanism The filling spout, generally designated by the numeral 16, comprises a flexible fabricated fillfreely through the tube from the hopper H1 into the bag or container, shown at |26. In some instances, it may be found desirable not to secure the lower end of the' exible tube H4 to the spout members |2| and |22, but permit it to hang loosely therein. When the lower end of the flexible ltube |4 is thus loosely supported Within the members |2| and |22, its upper end is preferably secured to the hopper portion I6.

The iiexible tube H4 is constructed of a suitable exible, porous material whereby air entrained with the material being delivered into the Ibag through said tube, may escape through the porous material in the wall of said tube and thereby prevent portions of the material from puffing or spouting from the bag top, when a charge is delivered into the bag.

Means is provided for operating the members |2| and |22, and comprises a crank arm |21 secured to one end of a sleeve4 |28 rotatably mounted on the rod 20, as shown in Figure 26. The 0pposite end of the sleeve |28 is secured to the bore of one of the hubs |24 of the'spout member |2|, whereby the crank arm |21 will operate as a unit with the spout member |2| The horizontal arm |29 has one end pivotally connected to the crank arm |21 and has a slot |2| at its opposite end adapted to receive the sleeve 43 secured on the main operating shaft 44, as` shown in Figure 23. A suitable roller |32 is secured to the arm |29 and engages the periphery of a suitable cam |33 secured to the sleeve 44 of the main operating shaft, as shown in Figure 23. A suitable spring 34 has one endconnected to the arm |29 and 35 its opposite end to a xed point on the frame,

indicated at |35 in Figure 3. constantly urges the arm |29 in a direction to hold the roller |32 in peripheral engagement with the cam |33.

The cem |33 is provided with a low peint lss,

ing tube H4 having its upper end secured to an .members |2| and |22, between which the lower end of the lling tube I |4 is supported. The complemental members |2| and |22 are pivotally supported on the cross rod 20 at the rear of the machine. The member |2| has an enlarged hopper-like portion |23 which supports the intermediate portion of the tube I4, and is provided with hubs |24 bored to receive the rod 20. The member |22 is similarly pivotally supported on the rod 2n, and a spring |25 is interposed between the two members |2| and |22 and normally tends to lclose the lower ends thereof, as shown in Figures 16 and 19, whereby the mouth of an empty bag may readily be fitted over the closed end of the filling. spout. The lowerv end of the flexible tube I4 is preferably secured to the lower end of the spoutv member |2| by suitable means,not shown, whereby the tube I4 will always retain its proper position within the members |2| and |22. If desired, the lower end of the flexible tube may besecured'to both members |2| and |22 whereby when Asaid members are opened to the` position shown in Figure 10, the lower end of the tube H4 will be opened to permit the material to pass as shown inFigure 10. When the roller 32 of the arm |29 is on the high side of the cam, as shown in Figures 3 and 10, the filling spout members I 2|A and |22 will be in their normal operative positions, as shown in Figure 10. When the roller |32 engages the low point |36 of the cam |33, as shown in Figures 16 and 19, the spring |34 will movethe arm |29 inwardly to hold the roller |32 in engagement with the periphery of the cam |33, whereby the hopper or filling spout members |2| and 22 are swung inwardly to bag receiving position, as shown in Figures 16 and 19. Simultaneously, as the members -|2| and |22 are swung into bag receiving positions, the lower end of the member |2| will swing into engagement with the lower end of the member |22, whereby the lower end ofthe lling spout is closed to permit it to readily enter the open mouth of the bag, as best shown in Figures 16 and 19.

When the spoutmembers |2| and |22 are swung into operative positions, as shown in Figures 10 and 25, the member |22 will engage a4 resilient stop member |31, carried by an arm|38 secured to the rod 20, as shown in Figure 24. The stop -member |31 comprises a spring-actuated bolt |39 supported in a housing 4| secured to the lower end of the arm |38. An'adjusting nut |42 is provided on the spring :bolt |39, whereby the head thereof may be adjusted with respect to the abutment lug |43 provided on the spout member |22. The spring bolt |39 is so adjusted with respect to the spout members |2| and |22,

` that when said members are in operative posi- The spring |34 ment in suitable bearings |46 provided on the spout member |2|. The jaw |44 cooperates with a gripping surface-|41 on the spout member |2|, to grip the walls of the bag, as clearly illustrated in Figures 19, 20, and 21, after which the spout members |2| and |22 are swung into 4bag filling positions by the cam |33, as shown in Figures 10 and 25.

The means provided for operating the movable jaw |44 comprises an arm |48 having one end sldably engaged with the lower end of a crank arm |49, as shown in Figure 10. The crank arm |49 is pivotally mounted on the rod 29. A

thereby te grip the wen of the beg therebetween, as shown in Figure 21. I

When the movable jaw has been moved into -gripping engagement with the bag wall, shown in slot |5| is lprovided adjacent the opposite end 25 of the arm |48 to receive the sleeve 43 of the main operating shaft 44, as shown in Figure 23. A roller |52 is mounted on the adjacent end of the arm f|48 adapted to be engaged by a. cam |53 secured to the sleeve 43, whereby for each revolution of the main operating shaft 44, the arm |48 will be actuated to operate the crank arm |49.

The crank arm |49 is rigidly mounted on the hub of a short arm |54 which is rotatably mounted on the rod 20, as best shown in Figure 26'.- The arm |54 has a link |55 connecting vone end thereof to a lever |56 secured to the shaft |45 of the movable jaw |44. A spring |51 has one end connected to the lever |56 and its oppositeend to a collar member |58 secured to the rod 29. The spring |51 constantly urges the jaw |44 in a direction to grip the wall of the bag.

Means is provided for-retaining the movable jaw lu in its open position, asy shown in Figures 16, 19, and 20, against the tension of the spring |51, when the spout members are moved into position to receive an empty bag, as shown in these figures.

Such means is best shown in Figures 20 and 2l, and comrises a spring-actuated .dog |59 piv` oted to the opposite end of the arm '|54. The

dog |59 is adapted to engage an abutment shoul-A der or notch |6| provided at one end of a sleeve the spout members 2| and |22 are moved into bag receiving position, as shown in Figures 16, 19, and 20, the dog |58 engages the abutment 16| and retains the movable jaw |44 in its open D0- sition, whereby a wall of the bag may be received between the gripping surface |41 of the spout member |2| and the movable jaw |44. The dog |59 is actuated to release the jaw |44, when the cam |33 travels4 slightly beyond the position shown in Figure 19, or until the roller |32 reaches the lowermost point in the cam. When the roller |32 reaches the lowermost point in the cam, a fixed .arm |63, shown in Figures 20, 21, and 24 is engaged by the opposite end of the dog |59, as

shown in Figure 20, and moves said dog out of engagement with the notch or shoulder I 6|, as

shown in Figure 21, whereby the spring |51 will swing the movable jaw |44 into gripping engagebent with its comlemental gripping surface |41,

Figure 21, the spout members |2| and |22 are operated to swing the bag into position to receive a charge, as shown in Figures l0, 11, and 25, as

as hereinbefore stated.

Filled bag receiving means The means for receiving the lled bags from the filling spout 16 is shown comprising anendless conveyer belt |64 mounted on suitable rolls |65 and I 66, supported in a suitable frame structure, generally designated by the numeral |61. The conveyer belt |64 is disposed directly beneath the filling spout, whereby'when the filled bags are released therefrom, they will drop onto the conveyer belt in an upright position, as will readily be understood -by reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The receiving conveyer is provided with a side wall |68 secured to upright posts |69. Guide members |1| are secured to the posts |69 above the guide wall |68 and engage the lbodies of the bags, when the latter are supported on the lling spout, and whereby the lled bags, when released from the spout, will dropdirectly onto the conveyer belt.

A suitable conveyer |12 may be connected to the conveyer |64 for conveying the filled bags to a suitable bag settling and closing machine, not shown in the-drawings.

Driving mechanism The `various mechanisms of the machine may be driven from a suitable motor |14 mounted in the lower portion of the machine frame, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable gear reducer |15 is shown connected to the motor |14, and has a belt drive |16 connecting it to a counter shaft |11 mounted in suitable bearings provided in the machine frame. The shaft |18 of the conveyer |64 is operatively connected to the counter shaft |11 by a suitable gear drive, indicated at |19 in Figure l. The main operating shaft 44 is shown drivenfrom the counter shaft ,|11 by a chain drive IBI.

, Another feature of the apparatus herein disclosed resides in the means provided for controlling .the operation of the weighingmechanism in timed relation to the operation of the' main operating shaft, whereby should the bag feeding mechanism fail to deliver a bag to the lling spout, the weighing hopper will not deliver a- `charge to the filling spout.

The means provided for thus automatically interrupting the delivery ofa charge to the liing spout in the event of bag failure, is best shown in Figures 1, 2, 11, and 12, and comprises a counter shaft |82 mounted in suitable bearings |80 provided in the upper portion of the machine frame,

as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 12. The shaft |82 vis driven from the main operating shaft by a -mechanisms are controlled entirely by the feeding of the bags from the magazines to the filling spouts. In other words, the two weighing hoppers are arranged to 'alternately operate to deliver charges of material into the empty bags without interruption, as long as the bags are fed tothe lling spouts. Should one of the filling spouts, however, fail to receive a bag from its respective bag feeding mechanism, its respective weighingv mechanism is rendered inoperative to deliver a charge into the bagless filling spout.

'I'he means provided for thus controlling the operationv of the weighing mechanisms by the feeding of the bags from the magazines to the filling spouts, is best shown in Figures 1, 11, 12, and 24, and comprises a pair of suitable clutches, generally designated by the numerals |,84 and |85. These clutches operate to drivingly connect the chain drives |86 of the weighing mechanisms to the clutch shaft |82. The clutches |84 and |85 are similar in construction, and but onewill therefore be described in detail. The clutches may be of any suitable type, applicable for the purpose. Each clutch is shown comprising a dog |81 which normally is retained in the position shown in Figure 1 1. When thus positioned, the two clutch members, indicated by the numerals |88 and |89, are operatively connected together for rotation 'as a unit, whereby the weighing mechanism associated therewith will operate to deliver one charge during each cycle of operation of the machine. Each clutch further is provided with an operating finger |9|, as best shown in Figures 11 and 12. This finger is shown secured to one end of a rock shaft |92 mounted in suitable bearings provided in the upper portion of the machine frame. A relatively short arm |93 is secured to the opposite end of the rock shaft |92 and has one end of a connecting rod |94 conv nected thereto. The lower end of the connecting rod |94 is connected to an arm |95 shown secured toa short shaft |96 mounted in a bearing |91 secured to one of the side members of the machine frame. A control finger |98 is secured to the lower end of the shaft |96 and extends inwardly to a position to be engaged by the bags |26, as they are fed from the magazine to the filling spout, shown in Figure 24.

The operation of the clutch therefore, is dependent entirely upon the passage of the empty bags lfrom the magazine to the filling spout. The

clutch is so constructed that the dog |81 must be operated for each revolution of the clutch in order to operate the weighing mechanism. The clutch finger |9| andy dog |81 are therefore so arranged that the finger |9| must be moved out of the path of the dog |81 each time a bag is fed to the filling spout in order that the weighing mechanism will operate to deliver a charge into the bag supported on the filling spout. If a bag fails to actuate the control finger |9|, theclutch finger |9| will remain in the full line position shown in Figure l1, whereby it will engage the dog |81 and thereby render the weighing mechanism inoperative. The clutch dog 81 rotates operationv mouth. In the next operation, the gripper blade 30 is moved downwardly as a result of the arm 65 being ,actuated by the cam 61, as shown in Figure 10, until the bottom wall ofthe lowermost bag is gripped between the gripper blade 30 and the gripper block or surface 14 carried by the drum. Because of the cylindrical surface of the cam 61, the gripper blade 30 will be retained in the position shown in Figures 10 and 11, while the bag is being withdrawn from the magazine and around past the bottom breaker hooks 92 and the pressure roller |02, until the bag top reaches substantially the position shown in Figure 16, wherein the bag opener blade 11 is actuated by the bell crank 85, as a result of the button 83 engaging the upper end of the push lrod 19.

When the bag mouth reaches .the position shown in Figure 16, the filling spout members 2| and |22 will be positioned as shown in this same figure, whereby the open bag moutnmay readily be pulled'over the filling spoutfy members |2| and |22, with a wall of the bagfinoth'y inserted betwen the jaw |44 and the gripping surface |41, as shown in Figures 19 and 420. When the bag mouth is thus positioned over the filling spout members |2| and |22, as shown in Figure 21, the movable jaw |44 is released, as a result of the dog |59 engaging the member |63, wherewith the part |88 of the clutch which, as will be 1 understood by reference to Figure 12, rotates continuously with the drive chain |83 as long as the machine is in operation. 'I'he dog |81 is actuated by the clutch finger |9| each time the clutch shaft |82 makes one revolution, provided, of course, the bags are successively delivered to thel filling spout without interruption. Should the bag feeding mechanism fail to deliver a bag to the spout, as hereinbefore stated, the clutch l finger |9| is moved out of the path of the clutch dog 81, whereby the clutch will fail to function. 'I'he clutch |84 is of the one-revolution type, whereby the weighing mechanism is operated, once for each revolution thereof.

upon the wall of the bag top positioned between the gripping surface |41 and the jaw |44 will be firmly gripped therebetween. y

The cam mechanism then returns the spout members |2| and |22 to their operative positions shown inI Figures 10, 11 and 25, whereby said members are separated or moved into open posiv tions against the walls of the bag mouth, thereby cooperating with the movable jaw |44 to se- I cure the bag top to the lower end of the filling spout. It is to be understood that when the spout members |2| and |22 are in the positions shown in Figure 10, the adjusting nut |42 of the springactuated bolt |39 will be out of engagement with the cylindrical housing |4|, whereby the bag top will be held taut by the tension of the spring |40 of the bolt |39. When the bag is thus supported on the lower ends of the spout members |2| vand I 22, it will be noted that the lower end of the fiexible porous filling tube ||4 is positioned within the mouth of the bag so that when the charge of materialy is delivered into the tubefrom the hopper ||1 of the weighing mechanism, it will be directed into the empty bag body without puffing.

ed, is controlled by the bag engaging the lclutch control finger |98, as will be understood by refer- In other words, actuation of the arm |48 by the cam |53 will oscillate the arm |54 in a manner The weighing mechanism, as hereinbefore stat- I lto permit the dog |59 to again engage the abut# ment shoulder ISI and thereby lock the movable jaw |44 in open position.

When the movable jaw is thus 4actuated to release the bag, the filled bag drops by gravity onto the conveyer |64 which, in turn, Vdischarges the -lled bag onto the conveyer |12, indicated in Figure 2.

When two complete bag filling and feeding mechanisms are utilized, as shown in Figure 2,

they are so timed with respect to one another that they will alternately deliver the bagsonto the conveyer |64 in spaced relation. If desired, they may be so adjusted as to deliver the bags onto the conveyer in pairs, as indicated in Figure 2. A

We claim as our invention:

l. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting a stack of fiat empty bags in superposed relation, said bags having their bottoms disposed in flatwise relation to their respective bag bodies and facing upwardly in the magazine, a rotatable bag feed drum, said drum -having complemental gripping elements mounted thereon for engaging the lowermost bag in the magazine when the drum is rotated and withdrawing it therefrom, means operatively connected to said drum for engaging the leading edge of the bottom of said bag and folding said bottom upon a line transverse to the vertical axis'of. the

.zbag-boiiy, whereby the bag body will assume its proper shape, when a charge is delivered therewall of the lowermost bag in the magazine when the drum is rotated and withdraw said bag therefrom, means mounted in operative relation to the drum adapted to engage the leading edge of the f vbottom of said bag and fold it upon itself on a line disposed substantially in the median plane of the bag body, thereby to permit the bag body to readily expand, when a charge is delivered thereinto from the filling spout, and means for opening the mouth of the empty bag to facili-l tate entrance of the iilling spout therein.

5. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting a stack of fiat empty bags in superposed relation with the intermediate portions of the top ends of the bags unsupported, a plate element movably supported adjacent to the top ends of the bags adapted to engage the unsupported top end of the upper wall of the lowermost bag and inwardly press it to partially open the mouth of said lowermost bag, a filling spout, a rotatable feed drum having cooperating gripper elements adapted to engage the bottom wall of the lowermost bag in the magazinelwhen the drum is rotated and withdraw said bag therefrom, means for breaking the bag bottoms as the bags are successively fed from the magazine to the filling'spout by said drum, means for open- -ing the mouth of each empty bag as the bags approach the filling spout, thereby to facilitate ensaid drum for engaging the leading edge of the I bottom of said bag and folding said bottom upon itself, thereby to facilitate filling the bag.

3. In a machine of the class described, a maga-,-

`zine for supportin'ga stack of flat empty bags in superposed relation with the intermediate portions of the top ends of the bags unsupported, said bags having their bottoms disposed in parallel relation to their respective bodies and facing upwardly in the magazine, a filling spout, a

gripper elements adapted to engage the bottom wall of the lowermost bag in the magazine when the drum is rotated and withdraw said bag therefrom, and means mounted in operative relation to the drum adapted to engage the leading edge of the bottom of said bag and fold it upon itself on a line disposed substantially in the medianv plane of the bag body, thereby to permit 4the bag body'to readily expand, when' alcharge is de-v `allel relation to their respective bodies and facing upwardly in the magazine, a filling spout, a rotatable bag feed drum having complemental gripper elements adaptedto engage the bottom 'rotatable bag feed drum having complemental trance of the filling spout therein, and gripper means on the lling spout adapted to engage a wail of the bag top and support the bag on the filling spout, independently of the gripper means on the drum, during the filling operation.

6. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting a stack of flat'empty bags in superposed relation with the intermediate portions of the topfends of thebags unsupported, a plateelement movably supported adjacent to the top ends of thebags adapted to engage the unsupported top end of the upper wall of the lowermost bag and inwardly press it to partially open the mouth of said lowermost bag, a filling spout, a rotatable feed drum having cooperating gripper elements adapted to engage the bottom wall of the lowermost bag in the magazine whenthe `drum is rotated and withdraw said bag therefrom, means for folding the bag bottoms transversely to theaxes of the bag bodies, as the bags are successively fed from the magazine to the filling spout by said drum, means for opening the mouth of each empty bag as the bags approach the filling spout, thereby to facilitate entrance of the filling spout therein, gripper means on the filling spout adapted to, engage a wall of the bag top and support the bag on the filling spout independently of the gripper means-of the drum, during the filling operation,

. and means for subsequently actuating the gripper means on the lling spout to release the filled bag therefrom.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting a stack of fiat empty bags in superposedrelationwth the intermediate por- .tions of the top ends of the bag unsupported, a

toms as the bags are successively fed from the magazine to the filling spout by said drum, means v for opening the mouth of each empty bag as the bags app'roach the filling spout, thereby to facilitate entrance of the collapsed filling spout in the bag mouth, means for expanding the filling spout into engagement' with the bag mouth walls, and gripper means on the filling spout adapted to engage a. wall of the bag top and support 'the bag on the lling spout, during the lling operation. i

8. In a machine of the class described, a magazine for supporting a stack of.at empty bags in superposed relation, a plate element movably supported adjacent to the top ends of the bags adapted to engage the top end of the upper wall of the lowermost bag, to partially open the mouth of said lowermost bag, a lling spout, Va rotatable feed drum having cooperating gripper elements by said drum, means adapted to engage the bottom wall of the lowermost bag in the magazine when the drum is vrotated and withdraw said bag therefrom, means for folding the bag bottomstransversely to the axes of the bag bodies, as the bags are successively fed from the magazine to the filling spout for opening the mouth of each empty bag as the bags approach the illing spout, thereby to facilitate entrance of the filling spout therein, gripper means on the filling spout adapted to engage a wall of the bag top and support the bag on the llingspout independently of the gripper means of the drum, during the lling operation, and means for subsequently actuating the gripper means on the filling spout to release the filled bags therefrom.

DANIEL BEL-CHER.

EVERIS D. MUNSON.

HAROLD V. KINDSETH. 

